Things to do in Orange County

Known as ‘OC’, Orange County absorbs you into the best of what Southern California has to offer from exquisite beaches, grand theme parks, and a wide array of famous things to do. Immerse yourself in the warmth of the Californian state county’s sunshine and enjoy the starry nights with your family and friends.

Orange County California

Whether it is spending time at beaches or visiting local parks, restaurants and museums, there are many interesting things to do in Orange County for tourists. When in OC, you should definitely visit Crystal Cove State Park, which located in Laguna Beach. It is famous for its remarkable hiking trails which are both wooded and coastal. While you are at this beach, you can visit the La Casa del Camino hotel, on the rooftop of which is Rooftop Lounge. The food here is exquisite, the relaxing atmosphere will take all the fatigue and weary feeling away, and the views are just breathtaking; definitely something to add to your list of things to do in Orange County. Apart from these things to do in Orange County, you can visit Crystal Cathedral. Its building is like a four-pointed star, and is a sight you cannot afford to miss. The total number of glass panes in the structure exceeds 10,000, and several renowned guest speakers like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Derek Fisher of Lakers come in Sunday congregations. There are also many things to do in Orange Country with your family. You can visit Irvine Park Railroad, which is located in the foothills of OC. Here, your family can have a great time riding the one-third scale train, which will take you on a tour of the entire Irvine Regional Park. The park has several snack bars and there is a paved bicycle trail which connects all the six playgrounds, volleyball courts, two horse shoe pits, and four softball fields. With so many interesting things to do in Orange County, you can have a great family time.

Fun things to do in Orange County

Other than these things to do in Orange County, you can enjoy your time at Huntington Beach Pier, which is a hotspot for surfing enthusiasts. One of the things to do in Orange County that you cannot simply miss out on is spending an entire day at Disneyland® Resort, the most famous theme park in the world. This theme park offers something to everyone and features enticing games, incredible rides, exciting shows, and whatnot. It is not wrong to say that it is the happiest place to be at on the surface of earth! While listing down things to do in Orange County, don’t forget to include the Orange International Street Fair. Held on Labor Day weekends, you must visit this fair to enjoy a night of street cruise, from Aussie ice cream to Irish nachos, loukoumades to funnel cakes, and lots of other things. Although there are plenty of things to do in Orange County, you should take a day out, rent a car, and go on a cruise down Route 1, also known as Pacific Coast Highway. The fresh ocean air and the magnificent views will occupy your mind for the rest of your life. Moreover, you should visit Heisler Park in Laguna Beach, which is a lush, stunning waterfront park. Visiting this park should be one of the top things to do in Orange County, especially if you are on vacation with your family.

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Things to do in Orange County - Dana Point

Dana Point is one of the best places to visit in California if you want an adventure. California is a great vacation spot, and Dana Point is one of the best ways to enjoy the harbor and other water related activities. The harbor is a great site, with lots of ships, and is perfect for walks. You will be impressed by how beautiful it looks, and that is because of how well maintained it is. It is named after the author Richard Henry Dana, Jr. who immortalized the area in his book called Two Years before the Mast. The harbor is a favorite spot of both local and foreign tourists due to the activities available. Salt Creek beach has some daring waves to surf. California surf culture has been shown in a lot of movies and popular media, and you can see it live here. There are also a lot of relaxing and calm beach spots aswell, which makes it fun for family and surfing trips. You can also go on Dolphin watching tours and see the fantastic creatures in action. We would also recommend visiting the replica of Richard Henry Dana's ship The Pilgrim.

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Things to do in Orange County - Newport Beach Harbor

Newport Harbor is United States’ largest boat harbor for recreational purposes and is a top pick by visitors for experiencing all types of boating activities, such as fishing, rowing, paddle boarding, kayaking, and sailing. Located in the heart of Newport Beach, famous attractions such as the Santa Ana River, Crystal Cove State Park, and Corona del Mar State Beach are in close proximity. These recreational activities have made Newport Harbor a haven for participating in adrenaline-filled water activities. The Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race, which takes place every year at the harbor, is the world’s largest sailboat race. Five different yacht clubs take the responsibility of organizing all types of boating activities, in partnership with Sea Scouts, Orange Coast College, and UC Irvine. The Orange Coast College School of Sailing and Seamanship, for example, also organizes professional certifications and courses for mariners and sailors. This includes licenses for the United States Coast Guard. Visitors who are interested in visiting the harbor can go on boat tours that feature numerous waterfront points of interest, as well as celebrity homes. If you are planning to organize a wedding or any other special event, you will have the benefit of renting large charter vessels.

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Things to do in Orange County - Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach, located in Orange County in California, is a sea resort that is one of the best places to visit with your family or friends. Whether you want to go for diving, surfing, snorkeling, and bike tours, or spend the day relaxing in a spa, Laguna Beach has it all. Firstly, the resort has a wide variety of quality hotels for meeting your accommodation needs whether you plan to visit with your friends as a reunion or a family vacation with your spouse and kids. The hotels are in close proximity to restaurants as well as to shopping markets for stocking on your favorite accessories and clothing items. Visitors also have the pleasure of indulging in the finest food with a variety of cafes and restaurants. Take your pick from the best collection of restaurants from Brussel’s Bistro to Nirvana Grille or from Okura Robata Grill & Sushi Bar to Zeytoon Café. More importantly, if you have a knack for appreciating the brilliance of an artist, you can explore the finest art collections from resort’s art galleries. The mild weather and a fantastic array of coves, beaches, and other attractions make it a must-visit for every thrill-seeking and nature-enthusiast.

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Things to do in Orange County - Fashion Island

If you are planning to visit the United States of America, don’t forget to add Fashion Island to your things to do in America list! Fashion Island is a high-class lifestyle center located in Newport Beach in California. You can commute to this tourist spot through the Orange County Transportation Authority. The mall also has the best landscaping and architecture while the color combination and design is fascinating. Unlike other malls, Fashion Island is also, not overly crowded and the environment is generally calm and composed. The presence of multiple fountains and ponds further adds to the overall scenic beauty. The things to do in Fashion Island include a whole range of activities that you can enjoy during your trip! You have all the options from watching a really good movie and eating scrumptious food to shopping for new items! All the big brands and upgraded retail stores are present here. Fashion Island is close to the beach too, which makes it an even more beautiful and enthralling location as compared to other shopping centers. Multiple musicians also come here to perform and display their talent regularly and keep you entertained as you roam the mall, searching for the best buys.

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Things to do in Orange County - Salt Creek Beach Park

The Salt creek Park is located in Dana Point in the Orange County in California. If you are confused about the things to do in California, you should add visiting the place to your list. The Salt Creek Beach is famous throughout the country and features several amenities. It is located 110 kilometers north of San Diego, 72 kilometers south of Los Angeles, and 16 kilometers south of Laguna Beach. There are so many things to do in the Salt Creek Park that include visiting the beach volleyball, half court basketball court, and going to the Bluff Park that is spread over seven acres and offers facilities like fishing, surfing, and swimming. Since the park is grassy and has walking paths, barbecue grills, and tables, a lot of people head there to enjoy picnics with their friends and families. In order to reach the place; you can take the pedestrian underpass that will take you to the beach and the bluff park. The walk is long, so there is also the facility of a shuttle service that costs only $1 and will take you up the hill.

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Things to do in Orange County - Orange County Fair

The Orange County is one of the most recommended things to do in California, as it is the ninth largest fair of the country. This annual fair takes place for 23 day in Costa Mesa. The fair first took place in 1890 and consisted of a horse race and some minor exhibits. The earlier fairs consisted of livestock shows and other attractions were only added after the fair became an annual affair. In the year 1953, the city of Costa Mesa became a part of the fair and a land that consisted of 150 acres was reserved for this annual summer fair. The climate of Costa Mesa can be classified as Mediterranean, which is why people can enjoy the outdoor activities during the summer season. There are so many things to do in Orange County Fair that you will enjoy. Every year the Fair begins in the 2nd week of July and provides entertainment for people from all age groups. Earlier on the concerts in the fair were free, but now they take place in the Pacific Amphitheatre and there is an entry fee. This year the fair will take place from July 15 to Sunday, August 14, 2016 and the price of the concert ticket will range from $20 to $80.

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Things to do in Orange County - Balboa Fun Zone

Thinking about the things to do in California? Add visiting the Balboa Fun Zone to the list. It is located in the city of Newport Beach in the Orange County. The place receives more than seven million visitors every year who get to enjoy the harbor and the ocean. The place was built back in 1936 and was purchased by the NHNM Property Holdings, LLC in 2005. There are so many things to do in Balboa Fun zone that you will enjoy. The area is home to so many attractions like the salons, restaurants, cafes, shops, and the beach. Some of the rides that you should check out include the Ocean Motion that is a bungee ride which rises to a height of 18 feet. There is also the Fish Pipe that rises to a height of 11 feet and the riders get to slide in a plastic sphere. After you get done with the rides, head straight to the raised patio that will offer you a beautiful view of the Newport Harbor. One of the must visit places in the area include the Ocean Literacy Center, where you can get the chance of touching sea creatures like sea cucumbers and starfish.

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Things to do in Orange County - Crystal Church

The Crystal Church is a congregation working of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange in Garden Grove, Orange County, California, in the United States. The intelligent glass building, planned by postmodern American draftsman Philip Johnson, was finished in 1980 and seats 2,736 people. The biggest glass working in the world, it has one of the biggest melodic instruments on the planet, the Hazel Wright Memorial organ. Until 2013, the building had been the central place of love for Crystal Cathedral Ministries, an assembly of the Reformed Church in America, established in 1955 by Robert H. Schuller.

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Things to do in Orange County - Discovery Cube Orange County

Planning a visit but confused about the thing to do in California? Why not add visiting the Discovery Cube Orange County to the list? The Discovery Cube Orange County was earlier known as the Discovery Science Center and is a science museum that is located in Santa Ana. The place has more than 100 exhibits for children that will help in developing their interest in science from a very young age. The structure of the building has turned it into a visual landmark because of its ten floored building that is in shape of a cube, which overlooks the Interstate 5. There are so many things to do in Discovery Cube Orange County. The place is divided into different areas such as the Dino Quest, Dynamic Earth, Eco Challenge, Quake Zone, Rocket Lab, Air & Space, and the Science of Hockey. Make sure that you visit the Showcase Gallery, as it shows different travelling exhibits. Visiting the place is a great learning experience for kids, so head to the Science of Hockey exhibit that had opened in 2009 and discusses the scientific aspects of hockey. Dino Quest is another famous exhibit in the museum that had opened up in 2006 and educates the children about dinosaurs with the help of life size figures.